Senate Resolution No. 2971

BY: Senator TEDISCO

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Rotary
Club of Schenectady

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Schenectady; and

WHEREAS, The world's first service club, Rotary International, was
founded on February 23, 1905, when Paul Harris, a native of Vermont,
found himself a stranger in the city of Chicago; he conceived the idea
of inviting three men of different vocations to join him weekly for
fellowship and to discuss each other's problems and business; and

WHEREAS, Today, Rotary International has grown into an organization
including over 1.2 million members in approximately 29,000 clubs across
163 countries; each club is made up of business and professional leaders
who are dedicated to humanitarian service, encourage high ethical
standards in all vocations, and help to build peace and goodwill
throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, Organized on March 20, 1918, the Rotary Club of Schenectady
is composed of over 70 community leaders representing a diverse
cross-section of professions who dedicate countless hours of service to
improve the quality of life of human beings in the City of Schenectady
and throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, The Rotary Club of Schenectady engages in countless
volunteer projects that benefit an array of nonprofit organizations
located in Schenectady, including the Salvation Army, the Schenectady
Inner City Ministry, the City Mission of Schenectady, Habitat for
Humanity of Schenectady County and the Schenectady County Public
Library; and

WHEREAS, Members of this vital organization volunteer on projects
which beautify the city of Schenectady including the clean-up of Vale
Park and a section of the Interstate 890 highway system; and

WHEREAS, The Rotary Club of Schenectady and the Rotary Club of
Schenectady Foundation, Inc. award substantial grants annually to local
nonprofit organizations in support of their respective missions and
provide scholarship assistance to graduating Schenectady High School
seniors; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the organization provides international
support through participation in Rotary International's campaign to
eradicate polio and sponsors a water filtration project that provides
access to clean water for hundreds of Haitians; and

WHEREAS, The Rotary Club of Schenectady also sponsors a Rotaract
Club for students attending Schenectady County Community College, and an
Interact Club for students at Schenectady High School to introduce local
youth to civic engagement and community service; and

WHEREAS, The Rotary Club of Schenectady is noted for its place in
the Capital Region and world history through its development and funding
of the Rotary Boy Scout Camp at Pilot Knob on Lake George in the early
1920s, better known today as the Capital District YMCA's Camp
Chingachgook; the hosting of a meeting at Proctor's RKO Theatre in the
early 1930s at which WGY conducted one of the first around the world
short-wave radio broadcasts which linked the Schenectady Rotary Club
with clubs in London and Australia; the hosting of a meeting in December
of 1939, of over 500 Rotarians from Eastern New York State at General
Electric's "House of Magic" who, for the first time ever, could speak to
and be seen by audiences in three cities at the same time on a network
television program; and the development of Rotary Gateway Park in
Schenectady, a welcome destination for many people traveling on the
Mohawk River; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor and commend
the members of the Rotary Club of Schenectady, past and present, who
have labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of
life for the community it serves by perpetuating its motto of Service
Above Self; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Schenectady; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Rotary Club of Schenectady.